1.
United States Marine Corps
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The U. S. Marine Corps is one of the four armed service branches in the U. S. Department of Defense and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the military officer in the U. S. Armed Forces, is a Marine Corps general, the Marine Corps has been a component of the U. S. Department of the Navy since 30 June 1834, working closely with naval forces for training, transportation, and logistics. The USMC operates posts on land and aboard sea-going amphibious warfare ships around the world, two battalions of Continental Marines were formed on 10 November 1775 in Philadelphia as a service branch of infantry troops capable of fighting for independence both at sea and on shore. The role of the Corps has since grown and evolved, expanding to aerial warfare and earning popular titles such as, Americas third air force, and, second land army. By the mid-20th century, the U. S. Marine Corps had become a major theorist of and its ability to rapidly respond on short notice to expeditionary crises gives it a strong role in the implementation and execution of American foreign policy. As of 2016, the USMC has around 182,000 active duty members and it is the smallest of the U. S. The USMC serves as an expeditionary force-in-readiness and this last clause, while seemingly redundant given the Presidents position as Commander-in-chief, is a codification of the expeditionary responsibilities of the Marine Corps. It derives from similar language in the Congressional acts For the Better Organization of the Marine Corps of 1834, in 1951, the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee called the clause one of the most important statutory – and traditional – functions of the Marine Corps. In addition to its duties, the Marine Corps conducts Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure operations, as well as missions in direct support of the White House. The Marine Band, dubbed the Presidents Own by Thomas Jefferson, Marines from Ceremonial Companies A & B, quartered in Marine Barracks, Washington, D. C. The Executive Flight Detachment also provides transport to Cabinet members. The relationship between the Department of State and the U. S. Marine Corps is nearly as old as the corps itself, for over 200 years, Marines have served at the request of various Secretaries of State. After World War II, an alert, disciplined force was needed to protect American embassies, consulates, in 1947, a proposal was made that the Department of War furnish Marine Corps personnel for Foreign Service guard duty under the provisions of the Foreign Service Act of 1946. A formal Memorandum of Agreement was signed between the Department of State and the Secretary of the Navy on December 15,1948, during the first year of the MSG program,36 detachments were deployed worldwide. Continental Marines manned raiding parties, both at sea and ashore, the Advanced Base Doctrine of the early 20th century codified their combat duties ashore, outlining the use of Marines in the seizure of bases and other duties on land to support naval campaigns. Throughout the late 19th and 20th centuries, Marine detachments served aboard Navy cruisers, battleships, Marine detachments served in their traditional duties as a ships landing force, manning the ships weapons and providing shipboard security. Marines would develop tactics and techniques of amphibious assault on defended coastlines in time for use in World War II, during World War II, Marines continued to serve on capital ships

2.
Battle of Tarawa
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The Battle of Tarawa was a battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II that was fought from November 20 to November 23,1943. It took place at the Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands, nearly 6,400 Japanese, Koreans, and Americans died in the fighting, mostly on and around the small island of Betio, in the extreme southwest of Tarawa Atoll. The Battle of Tarawa was the first American offensive in the critical central Pacific region and it was also the first time in the Pacific War that the United States faced serious Japanese opposition to an amphibious landing. The Gilbert Islands are part of Micronesia and they became a colony of the British Empire in January 1916. They were invaded and occupied by the Empire of Japan in December 1941, the battle was fought almost two years later. In July 1979 the islands became independent from the United Kingdom, in order to set up forward air bases capable of supporting operations across the mid-Pacific, to the Philippines, and into Japan, the U. S. planned to take the Mariana Islands. Naval doctrine of the time held that in order for attacks to succeed, land-based aircraft would be required to weaken the defenses, the nearest islands capable of supporting such an effort were the Marshall Islands, northeast of Guadalcanal. Thus, to launch an invasion of the Marianas, the battle had to start far to the east. Following the completion of the Guadalcanal campaign, the 2nd Marine Division had been withdrawn to New Zealand for rest, losses were replaced and the men given a chance to recover from the malaria and other illnesses that had weakened them through the fighting in the Solomons. On July 20,1943, the Joint Chiefs directed Admiral Chester Nimitz to prepare plans for an operation in the Gilbert Islands. Located about 2,400 miles southwest of Pearl Harbor, Betio is the largest island in the Tarawa Atoll, the small, flat island lies at the southernmost reach of the lagoon, and was the base of the majority of the Japanese troops. Shaped roughly like a long, thin triangle, the island is approximately 2 miles long. It is narrow, being only 800 yards wide at its widest point, a long pier was constructed jutting out from the north shore onto which cargo ships could unload cargo while anchored beyond the 500-metre -wide shallow reef which surrounded the island. The northern coast of the faces into the lagoon, while the southern and western sides face the deep waters of the open ocean. Following Colonel Evans Carlsons diversionary Makin Island raid of August 1942, the 6th Yokosuka Special Naval Landing Force reinforced the island in February 1943. In command was Rear Admiral Tomonari Saichiro, an engineer who directed the construction of the sophisticated defensive structures on Betio. Upon their arrival, the 6th Yokosuka became a force. Tomonaris primary goal in the Japanese defensive scheme was to stop the attackers in the water or pin them on the beaches, a tremendous number of pill boxes and firing pits were constructed, with excellent fields of fire over the water and sandy shore

3.
Battle of Tinian
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The Battle of Tinian was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought on the island of Tinian in the Mariana Islands from 24 July until 1 August 1944. The 9, 000-man Japanese garrison was eliminated, and the island joined Saipan, a two-prong attack through the Central Pacific and the Philippines was adopted at the 1943 Cairo Conference. Operation Granite II, was a U. S. Navy devised strategy of island hopping, calling for the seizure of Saipan, Tinian, the Gilbert and Marshall Islands had been seized by the summer of 1944, while some Japanese garrisons were left to starve. The US naval bombardment commenced on 16 July, with three battleships, five cruisers and sixteen destroyers, the battleship Colorado and the destroyer Norman Scott were both hit by 150mm Japanese shore batteries. Colorado was hit 22 times, killing 43 men and wounding 198, Norman Scott was hit six times, killing the captain, Seymore Owens, and 18 of his seamen, plus wounding 47. The 4th Marine Division landed on 24 July 1944, supported by naval bombardment, with the help of Seabee inginuity the Marines were able to land where the Japanese did not expect, along the Northwest coast with its waters edge small coral cliffs. A successful feint for the settlement of Tinian Town diverted defenders from the actual landing site on the north of the island. They withstood a series of night counterattacks supported by tanks, the weather worsened on 28 July, damaging the pontoon causeways, and interrupting the unloading of supplies. By 29 July, the Americans had captured half the island, Japanese remnants made a final stand in the caves and ravines of a limestone ridge on the south portion of the island, making probes and counterattacks into the Marine line. Resistance continued through 3 August, with some civilians murdered by the Japanese, by 10 August 1944,13,000 Japanese civilians were interred, but up to 4,000 were dead through suicide, murdered by Japanese troops or killed in combat. The garrison on Aguijan Island off the southwest cape of Tinian, commanded by Lieutenant Kinichi Yamada, held out until the end of the war, the last holdout on Tinian, Murata Susumu, was captured in 1953. After the battle, Tinian became an important base for further Allied operations in the Pacific campaign, camps were built for 50,000 troops. North Field was built over Airfields No.1 and 3,2, and became operational in March 1945. Four 1000-bed hospitals were planned and located in preparation for the invasion of Japan, none were actually built, as the Japanese surrendered after the atomic bombs were dropped, which thus ended the need for the hospitals. North Field West Field Media related to Battle of Tinian at Wikimedia Commons Battle for the Mariana Islands on YouTube

4.
Battle of Saipan
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The Battle of Saipan was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought on the island of Saipan in the Mariana Islands from 15 June to 9 July 1944. The Allied invasion fleet embarking the expeditionary forces left Pearl Harbor on 5 June 1944, in the campaigns of 1943 and the first half of 1944, the Allies had captured the Solomon Islands, the Gilbert Islands, the Marshall Islands and the Papuan Peninsula of New Guinea. This left the Japanese holding the Philippines, the Caroline Islands, Palau Islands and it had always been the intention of the American planners to bypass the Carolines and Palauan islands and to seize the Marianas and Taiwan. From these latter bases, communications between the Japanese archipelago and Japanese forces to the south and west could be cut. From the Marianas, Japan would be well within the range of an air offensive relying on the new Boeing B-29 Superfortress long-range bomber with its radius of 1,500 mi. The Japanese, expecting an attack somewhere on their perimeter, thought an attack on the Caroline Islands most likely, to reinforce and supply their garrisons, they needed naval and air superiority, so Operation A-Go, a major carrier attack, was prepared for June 1944. Smith XXIV Corps Artillery — Brigadier General Arthur M. Harper 1st Provisional Gun Group 225th Field Artillery Howitzer Group 2nd Marine Division — Major General Thomas E, fifteen battleships were involved, and 165,000 shells were fired. Seven modern fast battleships delivered 2,40016 in shells, but to avoid potential minefields, fire was from a distance of 10,000 yd or more, the following day the eight older battleships and 11 cruisers under Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf replaced the fast battleships but were lacking in time and ammunition, the landings began at 07,00 on 15 June 1944. More than 300 LVTs landed 8,000 Marines on the west coast of Saipan by about 09,00, eleven fire support ships covered the Marine landings. However, by nightfall, the 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions had a beachhead about 6 mi wide and 0.5 mi deep, the Japanese counter-attacked at night but were repulsed with heavy losses. On 16 June, units of the U. S. Armys 27th Infantry Division landed and advanced on the airfield at Ås Lito, again the Japanese counter-attacked at night. On 18 June, Saito abandoned the airfield, the invasion surprised the Japanese high command, which had been expecting an attack further south. Admiral Soemu Toyoda, Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese Navy, saw an opportunity to use the A-Go force to attack the U. S. Navy forces around Saipan, on 15 June, he gave the order to attack. But the resulting battle of the Philippine Sea was a disaster for the Imperial Japanese Navy, the garrisons of the Marianas would have no hope of resupply or reinforcement. Without resupply, the battle on Saipan was hopeless for the defenders, Saito organized his troops into a line anchored on Mount Tapotchau in the defensible mountainous terrain of central Saipan. The nicknames given by the Americans to the features of the battle — Hells Pocket, Purple Heart Ridge, the Japanese used the many caves in the volcanic landscape to delay the attackers, by hiding during the day and making sorties at night. The Americans gradually developed tactics for clearing the caves by using flamethrower teams supported by artillery, however, General Holland Smith had not inspected the terrain over which the 27th was to advance

5.
Engineer
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Engineers design materials, structures, and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality, regulation, safety, and cost. The word engineer is derived from the Latin words ingeniare and ingenium, the work of engineers forms the link between scientific discoveries and their subsequent applications to human and business needs and quality of life. His/her work is predominantly intellectual and varied and not of a mental or physical character. It requires the exercise of original thought and judgement and the ability to supervise the technical, he/she is thus placed in a position to make contributions to the development of engineering science or its applications. In due time he/she will be able to give authoritative technical advice, much of an engineers time is spent on researching, locating, applying, and transferring information. Indeed, research suggests engineers spend 56% of their time engaged in various information behaviours, Engineers must weigh different design choices on their merits and choose the solution that best matches the requirements. Their crucial and unique task is to identify, understand, Engineers apply techniques of engineering analysis in testing, production, or maintenance. Analytical engineers may supervise production in factories and elsewhere, determine the causes of a process failure and they also estimate the time and cost required to complete projects. Supervisory engineers are responsible for major components or entire projects, Engineering analysis involves the application of scientific analytic principles and processes to reveal the properties and state of the system, device or mechanism under study. Most engineers specialize in one or more engineering disciplines, numerous specialties are recognized by professional societies, and each of the major branches of engineering has numerous subdivisions. Civil engineering, for example, includes structural and transportation engineering and materials engineering include ceramic, metallurgical, mechanical engineering cuts across just about every discipline since its core essence is applied physics. Engineers also may specialize in one industry, such as vehicles, or in one type of technology. Several recent studies have investigated how engineers spend their time, that is, research suggests that there are several key themes present in engineers’ work, technical work, social work, computer-based work, information behaviours. Amongst other more detailed findings, a recent work sampling study found that engineers spend 62. 92% of their time engaged in work,40. 37% in social work. The time engineers spend engaged in activities is also reflected in the competencies required in engineering roles. There are many branches of engineering, each of which specializes in specific technologies, typically engineers will have deep knowledge in one area and basic knowledge in related areas. When developing a product, engineers work in interdisciplinary teams. For example, when building robots an engineering team will typically have at least three types of engineers, a mechanical engineer would design the body and actuators

6.
History of the United States Marine Corps
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Its mission evolved with changing military doctrine and foreign policy of the United States. Owing to the availability of Marine forces at sea, the United States Marine Corps has served in every conflict in United States history. It attained prominence when its theories and practice of amphibious warfare proved prescient, by the early 20th century, the Marine Corps would become one of the dominant theorists and practitioners of amphibious warfare. Its ability to respond on short notice to expeditionary crises has made. In February 1776, the Continental Marines embarked on their maiden expedition, the Continental Marines were disbanded at the end of the war, along with the Continental Navy. In preparation for the Quasi-War with France, Congress created the United States Navy, the Marines most famous action of this period occurred in the First Barbary War against the Barbary pirates. In the Mexican–American War, the Marines made their assault on Chapultepec Palace. In the 1850s, the Marines would see service in Panama, the remainder of the 19th century would be a period of declining strength and introspection about the mission of the Marine Corps. Under Commandant Jacob Zeilins term, many Marine customs and traditions took shape, during the Spanish–American War, Marines would lead American forces ashore in the Philippines, Cuba, and Puerto Rico, demonstrating their readiness for deployment. In World War I, battle-tested, veteran Marines served a role in the United States entry into the conflict. Between the world wars, the Marine Corps was headed by Major General John A. Lejeune, in World War II, the Marines played a central role in the Pacific War, participating in nearly every significant battle. The Corps also saw its peak growth as it expanded from two brigades to two corps with six divisions, and five air wings with 132 squadrons. During the battle for Iwo Jima, photographer Joe Rosenthal took the famous photo Raising of the Flag on Iwo Jima of five Marines, the Korean War saw the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade holding the line at the Battle of Pusan Perimeter, where Marine helicopters made their combat debut. The Marines also played an important role in the Vietnam War at battles such as Da Nang, Huế, Marines went to Beirut during the 1982 Lebanon War on 24 August. On 23 October 1983, the Marine barracks in Beirut was bombed, Marines were also responsible for liberating Kuwait during the Gulf War, as the Army made an attack to the west directly into Iraq. The I Marine Expeditionary Force had a strength of 92,990 making Operation Desert Storm the largest Marine Corps operation in history, the European powers all contended with each other in naval power. James II of England, the brother of King Charles II, was confirmed as Lord High Admiral, the position at this time was exercised by a single person, usually an Admiral to oversee the structure and institution of naval affairs. This maritime infantry regiment was directed to be under the control of the Admiralty

7.
Seabee
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United States Naval Construction Battalions - better known as Seabees, a heterograph of the first initials - C. B. comprise US Naval Construction Forces. International law made it illegal for civilians to resist enemy attack, doing so would classify them as guerrillas, the Seabees would consist of skilled workers that would be trained to drop their tools if necessary and take up their weapons at a moments notice to defend themselves. The concept model, A USMC trained Battalion of construction tradesmen that would be capable of, any type of construction, anywhere needed and it was quickly realized that this model could be utilized in every theater of operations as it was seen to be flexible and adaptable. The use of USMC organization allowed for smooth co-ordination, integration or interface of both the NCF and the Marine Corps elements, in addition, Seabee Battalions could be deployed individually or in multiples as the project scope and scale dictated. What distinguishes Seabees from Combat Engineers are the skill sets, Combat Engineering is but a sub-set in the Seabee toolbox. They have a legacy of creative field ingenuity stretching from Normandy and Okinawa to Iraq. Seabees believe that anything they are tasked with they Can Do and they were unique at conception and remain so today. In 2017, the Seabees celebrated 75 years of service and have not changed from Admiral Ben Moreells conceptual model, as far back as the War of 1812, US Navy seamen were employed in large numbers for major shore construction. In 1813, Essex, under command of Captain David Porter, rounded Cape Horn from the Atlantic Ocean, after capturing several British ships he discovered that a British naval squadron had been sent to search for him. Needing to repair and prepare Essex and his squadron, he sailed for the Marquesas Islands to find a suitable site for him to build the US Navys first advanced base. During construction they were attacked by unfriendly natives, during which they would have to lay down their tools. It wasnt until World War I that Navy craftsmen would be employed in large number again, in 1917, the Twelfth Regiment was organized at Naval Training Station Great Lakes. This allowed the Public Works Department to grow to nearly 600 men by July 1917 and they were organized into the Twelfth Regiment, which was essentially the Public Works Department because staff officers could not exercise military command. Lieutenant William C. Davis was appointed commanding officer of the regiment, he exercised military control, in October 1917, the regiment began building Camp Paul Jones. With its completion, on 30 December 1917, the regiment became operational with 1,500 men organized into three battalions. By April 1918, the regiment consisted of 2,400 in five battalions, men were withdrawn for assignments in the US and abroad. In spring of 1918,100 men were given special mechanics and ordnance training before being sent to St. Nazaire, France, later they would join the gun crews and perform combat duties along the railway lines in proximity to the German lines. The Twelfth Regiment reached its peak strength 5 November 1918,55 officers and 6,211 enlisted men formed into 11 battalions, however, with the end of the war on 11 November 1918, the regiment gradually faded away by the end of 1918

8.
United States Secretary of the Navy
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The Secretary of the Navy is a statutory office and the head of the Department of the Navy, a military department within the Department of Defense of the United States of America. The Department of the Navy consists of two Uniformed Services, the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps. In effect, all authority within the Navy and Marine Corps, specifically enumerated responsibilities of the SECNAV in beforementioned section are, recruiting, organizing, supplying, equipping, training, mobilizing, and demobilizing. The Secretary also oversees the construction, outfitting, and repair of ships, equipment. The Secretary of the Navy is a member of the Defense Acquisition Board, chaired by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, the CNO and the Commandant act as the principal executive agents of the SECNAV within their respective services to implement the orders of the Secretary. The United States Navy Regulations is the principal regulatory document of the Department of the Navy, the Chief of Naval Operations and the Commandant of the Marine Corps have their own separate staffs, the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and Headquarters Marine Corps

9.
Commandant of the Marine Corps
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The Commandant of the Marine Corps is normally the highest-ranking officer in the United States Marine Corps and is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Under the authority of the Secretary of the Navy, the CMC designates Marine personnel, as with the other joint chiefs, the Commandant is an administrative position and has no operational command authority over United States Marine Corps forces. The Commandant is nominated by the President for a term of office. By statute, the Commandant is appointed as a general while serving in office. The Commandant is directly responsible to the Secretary of the Navy for the performance of the Marine Corps. This includes the administration, discipline, internal organization, training, requirements, efficiency, the Commandant is also responsible for the operation of the Marine Corps material support system. Since 1801, the residence of the Commandant has been located in the Marine Barracks in Washington, D. C. and his main offices are in Arlington County. The responsibilities of the Commandant are outlined in Title 10, Section 5043 the United States Code and the position is subject to the authority, direction, as stated in the U. S. Thirty-seven men have served as the Commandant of the Marine Corps. The longest-serving was Archibald Henderson, sometimes referred to as the Grand old man of the Marine Corps due to his thirty-nine-year tenure. In the 236-year history of the United States Marine Corps, only one Commandant has ever been fired from the job, Anthony Gale, as a result of a court-martial in 1820. Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps, allan Reed Millett and Jack Shulimson, eds. CS1 maint, Uses editors parameter Ulbrich, David J. Preparing for Victory, Thomas Holcomb and the Making of the Modern Marine Corps, 1936-183

10.
Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps
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The Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps is the second highest-ranking officer in the United States Marine Corps, and serves as a deputy for the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Before 1946, the title was known as Assistant to the Commandant, the Assistant Commandant is nominated for appointment by the President and must be confirmed via majority vote by the Senate. In the event that the Commandant is absent or is unable to perform his duties, additionally, he may perform other duties that the CMC assigns to him. Historically, the Assistant Comandant has served for two to three years, in recent decades, the Assistant Commandant has frequently been a Marine aviator. James F. Amos is the first aviator to serve as Assistant Commandant, the 34th and current Assistant Commandant is Glenn M. Walters, who took office on 4 August 2016, when John M. Paxton Jr. retired. The first Marine to hold the billet as Assistant to the Commandant was Eli K. Cole, while Lemuel C, shepherd Jr. was the first to hold it as the Assistant Commandant. On 7 June 2016 Lieutenant General Glenn M. Walters was nominated to succeed Paxton as Assistant Commandant, he is serving as Deputy Commandant for Programs. No records exist before the outbreak of World War I about this position, possibly because the Commandant likely had only administrative staff, the first Assistant to the Commandant was Lieutenant Colonel Eli K. Cole, who assumed the position on April 29,1911. From April 29,1911 to October 16,1946,19 men were assigned to assist the commandant, including five that went on to become Commandant themselves, John A. Lejeune, Wendell C. Neville, Ben H. Fuller, John H. Russell Jr. in 1946, Congress established the position of Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps and since then,31 men have held the position. The duties of the Assistant Commandant include such authority and duties as the Commandant and, with the approval of the Secretary of the Navy, orders issued by the Assistant Commandant in performing such duties have the same effect as those issued by the Commandant. The Assistant Commandants of the Marine Corps, the Marine Corps Book of Lists. Allan Reed Millett and Jack Shulimson, eds, cS1 maint, Uses editors parameter Specific

11.
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
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Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps is a unique non-commissioned rank and billet in the United States Marine Corps. A sergeant major typically serves as the unit commanders senior enlisted adviser and to matters of discipline. In 1833, an act of legislation made the rank of sergeant major permanent for the Marine Corps and this continued until 1946, when the rank was abolished, only to be re-introduced in 1954 as part of the Marine Corps rank structure. While Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps is the wording of the rank. The Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps is selected by the Commandant of the Marine Corps and typically serves a four-year term, since Sergeant Major Wilbur Bestwick was appointed the first Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps in 1957,17 different Marines have filled this post. Specific Media related to Sergeants Major of the United States Marine Corps at Wikimedia Commons

12.
United States Congress
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The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States consisting of two chambers, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the Capitol in Washington, D. C, both senators and representatives are chosen through direct election, though vacancies in the Senate may be filled by a gubernatorial appointment. Members are usually affiliated to the Republican Party or to the Democratic Party, Congress has 535 voting members,435 Representatives and 100 Senators. The House of Representatives has six non-voting members in addition to its 435 voting members and these members can, however, sit on congressional committees and introduce legislation. Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms representing the people of a single constituency, known as a district. Congressional districts are apportioned to states by using the United States Census results. Each state, regardless of population or size, has two senators, currently, there are 100 senators representing the 50 states. Each senator is elected at-large in their state for a term, with terms staggered. The House and Senate are equal partners in the legislative process—legislation cannot be enacted without the consent of both chambers, however, the Constitution grants each chamber some unique powers. The Senate ratifies treaties and approves presidential appointments while the House initiates revenue-raising bills, the House initiates impeachment cases, while the Senate decides impeachment cases. A two-thirds vote of the Senate is required before a person can be forcibly removed from office. The term Congress can also refer to a meeting of the legislature. A Congress covers two years, the current one, the 115th Congress, began on January 3,2017, the Congress starts and ends on the third day of January of every odd-numbered year. Members of the Senate are referred to as senators, members of the House of Representatives are referred to as representatives, congressmen, or congresswomen. One analyst argues that it is not a solely reactive institution but has played a role in shaping government policy and is extraordinarily sensitive to public pressure. Several academics described Congress, Congress reflects us in all our strengths, Congress is the governments most representative body. Congress is essentially charged with reconciling our many points of view on the public policy issues of the day. —Smith, Roberts, and Wielen Congress is constantly changing and is constantly in flux, most incumbents seek re-election, and their historical likelihood of winning subsequent elections exceeds 90 percent